Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Lent 1 - Year C


Note the elisions, this is where temptation goes on.

 

We say we trust G*D, but we are really expecting that our praise will have an excellent return, just as major contributors to political campaigns expect consideration of their needs. Our trust is to pay off in deliverance, protection, fear reduction, and avoidance of punishment.

 

See, “Because” we trust, no evil shall befall us. We have G*D’s word on this, “Those who love me (at least flatter me), I will deliver....”

 

This is an early-in-Lent opportunity to reflect on both our motives and our willingness to fudge our values for an additional perk. Blessings on a clear-eyed evaluation of your relationship with G*D, Self, and Neighb*r.

 

http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2013/02/psalm-911-2-9-16.html

 


 

Are you feeling risked? On the verge of being hung out to dry?

A key question for still being able to go ahead anyway is the question of where your locus of love is.

Do you love the Most-High Ground-of-Being? How then can you not love as Most-Grounded Height-of-Being loves? In the face of evil we are delivered by not returning evil for evil but by turning it around -- live for lives.

So it is that G*D is with us in trouble and our rescue is by way of imitating G*D.

Need a satisfied mind? Imitate Christ -- love those G*D loves.

http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/october2003.html

 


 

Hooray - We have the ultimate missile defense shield - G*D.

Safe, whew, finally, we are safe from the scourge of evil.

We can go into any temptation, even where angels fear to tread (dragging them along through their commitment to serve and protect our very toesies). I'm not sure how the angels feel about going where we go, but, Onward!

So now the biggie. Are we going where angels fear to tread or safely sitting on the sideline cheering as a partisan? What are we trusting when we get ourselves in a pickle or beyond our height or power comfort levels? Can we persevere in the midst of temptation to settle down?

http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/february2004.html

 


 

In some ways Lent is a sheltered workshop. Here we develop skills while on the job. Here we employ skills developed through repetition.

In the refuge of Lent we practice knowing all is well and will be well again. We practice acting from a position of knowing we are guarded - boldly. We practice living from a perspective of having been borne up - thankfully. We practice living from a platform of steadfast love - mercifully.

Out of this practice come changed lives - as changed as resurrection or other metamorphoses.

Isn't it good to know we have been sheltered in the shadow of trustworthiness. Isn't it good to know we shelter others in this same gift.

- - -

Lent for Dummies
Chapter 1 - remembering love
Chapter 2 - practicing xxx
Chapter 3 - practicing yyy
Afterword - Easter

http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html

 


 

Hmm, "no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near." I guess I've not been Templed enough. Out here the protections of life seem frail and inconsistent. Satan seems robust. Angels appear distracted.

The Jewish Study Bible puts a finger on one of the issues here: "It is not clear how metaphorical the language is or whether it reflects popular religion and superstition; whether the dangers are from demons or from the ordinary dangers of plague, war, and wild animals." There is a sense more is trying to be said here than can be borne by any construct relating to reality.

Another issue is the on-going discernment difficulty of proactivity and reactivity. How far will G*D move toward welcoming all, even if they do not call out? What amount or quality of call will finally bring G*D to respond? These questions of G*D are also questions of ourselves. Do you have a theory about your own proactivity and reactivity?

http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2010/02/psalm-911-2-9-16.html